Of all the motorists who share the roads in New Jersey, motorcyclists as a group represent the most vulnerable segment. Motorcyclists are more than 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and five times more likely to be injured (NHTSA). Over the last ten year period (2005 to 2014), motorcycle fatalities have varied. The highest number of fatalities (99) occurred in 2006 while the lowest number (57) occurred in 2013. From 2009 to 2013, there have been nearly 13,000 crashes in New Jersey involving motorcycles.

Facts: In 2013, 31% of motorcycle fatalities involved riders that tested positive for alcohol. In addition, 36% of fatal crashes listed unsafe speed as a contributing circumstance while another 22% involved driver inattention. Motorcycle crashes result in approximately 70 fatalities and about 2,000 injuries each year in the Garden State. If you’re involved in a motorcycle crash in New Jersey, statistics show that you have an 83% chance of being injured (2009 – 2013). Every rider’s best defense against an injury is to obey the law: Wear Your Helmet!

Motorcycle
Crash Facts:Motorcycle crashes involving other vehicles
-

More
than half occur at intersections.

More than two-thirds occur when the
vehicle's driver does not see the motorcycle.

Motorcycle
crashes not involving other vehicles -

More
than two-thirds result from excessive
speed.

Inexperienced riders cause many more
crashes. 22% of motorcycle fatalities
did not have a motorcycle endorsement.
Remember to always follow through
on your licensing requirements.

40% of single vehicle motorcycle fatalities
occur during turns and corners. Slow
down before maneuvering the
corner.

Motorcycle
Safety Programs in New Jersey:

90%
of the riders who are involved in crashes
have no formal training. Motorcycle
Safety Foundation (MSF) Training Programs
are designed to help new or experienced
riders suffer fewer injuries in the event
of a crash or possibly avoid crashes altogether.
Other potential benefits of a credited
training program include road test waivers,
insurance discounts and license point
deductions. For a complete list of MSF
certified RiderCourse training locations
in New Jersey, please visit our partner
organization NJRIDESAFE.ORG.

A
motorcycle riders' best defense against injury
is to obey laws and wear protective clothing
and equipment:

Helmet
-In
New Jersey, motorcyclists are required
by law to wear a DOT (FMVSS 218)
approved helmet.

Eye
Protection - Glasses,
Goggles or a Shield

Jacket
-Sturdy,
Long Sleeved and Abrasion-Resistant

Pants
-
Well-Fitting and Abrasion-Resistant

Footwear
- Sturdy,
Over-the-Ankle Boots

Hand
Wear - Well-Fitting,
Full-Fingered Gloves

Motorcyclist
Safety Tips:

Drive
Defensively - Assume motorists
do not see you and plan escape routes.

Do
Not Tailgate Motorcycles - They
require less stopping distance than
other vehicles.

Share
the Road - Sharing the road will
save lives. Motorcyclists and motorists
abide by the same traffic laws. To avoid
crashes, obey speed laws, warning signs
and traffic signals. Share the road.
Remember that motorcycles are much smaller
and maneuver faster than other vehicles,
so always check your mirrors twice.

New
Jersey Helmet Law - P.L. 39:3-76.7:
No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle
unless he wears a securely fitted protective
helmet of a size proper for that person and
of a type approved by the federal DOT. Such
a helmet must be equipped with either a neck
or chin strap and be reflectorized on both
sides.

Consider
the Facts about Helmet Use:

An
approved helmet lets you see as far
to the sides as necessary. A study of
more than 900 motorcycle crashes, where
40% of the riders wore helmets, failed
to find a single case in which a helmet
kept a rider from spotting danger.

Most crashes happen on short trips (less
than five miles long), just a few minutes
after starting out.

Even low-speed crashes can be fatal.
Most riders are going slower than 30
mph when they get injured. At these
speeds, helmets can reduce both the
number and the severity of head injuries
by half.

No
matter what the speed, unhelmeted riders
are three times more likely to die from
head injuries than are riders who are
wearing a DOT approved helmet at the
time of the crash.

New
Jersey Smart Riders - Think you're
ready to ride? Developed by the Brain
Injury Alliance of New Jersey, this
web site stresses the importance of
Smart Gear, Smart Judgement and Smart
Training to help keep you safe while
riding on New Jersey's roadways.

Railroad
Crossing Safety-
Safety tips, links and sign information
for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists
about how to safely pass through a railroad
crossing

The
Detection of DWI Motorcyclists -
This 20-page booklet produced by NHTSA,
discusses the behavioral cues exhibited
by intoxicated motorcyclists. Additionally,
it can be used as a reference for riding
coaches to illustrate how alcohol can
negatively affect even the most basic
riding skills.